Episode 2: The Boy with the Camera
The next morning, the sun shone gently over Rarang village. The sound of roosters mixed with the cool breeze that carried the scent of wet soil.
Alya sat on the wooden bench in front of her house, brushing her long hair. She couldn't stop thinking about the boy she met yesterday Ardan.
"Why would someone like him move to a small place like this?" she whispered to herself.
As if the universe heard her question, Ardan appeared again walking down the same rice field path, camera hanging around his neck.
"Good morning," he greeted, smiling that same shy smile.
Alya blinked. "You're here again?"
"I wanted to take more photos," he said. "This place feels… peaceful."
Alya stood up, crossing her arms. "You know, people here will start thinking you're a lost tourist."
Ardan laughed softly. "Then maybe you can be my guide."
She couldn't help but smile. "Fine. But only if you tell me why you really came to Rarang."
His eyes flickered for a second as if he was hiding something. "I just needed a quiet place… to start over."
Alya didn't ask more. She just walked beside him as the wind blew through the fields. For the first time in a long while, she felt something new a warmth she couldn't name.
As Ardan lifted his camera again, he said quietly,
> "You look happiest when you're not pretending."
Alya froze for a second, surprised by his words because no one had ever seen through her that easily.
And just like that, her heart skipped a beat.